As Milano-Cortina 2026 is set to kick off very soon, here are some of the athletes you should have on your radar.
1. Kaori Sakamoto
Figure Skating (Japan)
One of the sport’s most captivating performers, Kaori Sakamoto is a three-time World Champion and 2022 Olympic bronze medalist. Her blend of athletic power and artistry makes her a standout contender in women’s singles figure skating. This is set to be her final season before her retirement. Can she go out in a blaze of glory with Olympic Gold?
2. Eileen Gu
Freestyle Skiing (China)
As one of the most famous skiiers in the world, China’s halfpipe and slopestyle star continues to be a global force after her two golds and a silver in Beijing 2022. She remains one of the most electrifying competitors on snow, and harbours hopes for another stellar Olympic run.
3. Lee Na-hyun
Speed Skating (South Korea)
Lee has been making waves as a rising long-track speed skating talent from South Korea who made headlines earning gold at the 2025 Asian Winter Games. This will be the first Olympics for the 20 year-old-Seoulite, who is primed to challenge sprint distances on the Milano-Cortina ice.
4. Yevgeniy Koshkin
Speed Skating (Kazakhstan)
Representing Kazakhstan, the 23 year-old from Almaty has made waves on the World Cup circuit in sprint events and highlights the growing winter sports profile of Central Asia. After a gold medal in the ISU Speed Skating World Cup last year, can he take another at the Olympics?
5. Arif Khan
Alpine Skiing (India)
India’s leading alpine skier, Arif Khan is a historic figure for South Asian winter sport. He became the first Indian skier in decades to qualify for Olympic alpine events and continues to push India’s presence on the World Cup circuit. Competing in slalom and giant slalom, Khan may not be a medal favourite, but hopefully he’ll have an even more successful Olympics this edition.
6. Cidan Yuzhen
Ski Mountaineering (China)
The 18 year old Tibetan sheepherder’s tale is the stuff of dreams: in 2020 she earned a spot on the national ski mountaineering team. With two Asian Winter Games golds under her belt, hopefully she can convert her promising career into an Olympic podium.
7. Denis Nikisha
Short Track Speed Skating (Kazakhstan)
Part of Kazakhstan’s vibrant short track squad and one of the country’s most successful speed skaters, Nikisha returns for his fourth (!) Olympics, and will be carrying his country’s flag in the opening ceremony.
8. Paul Henri Vieuxtemps
Freestyle Ski Slopestyle (Thailand)
A trailblazer for Thailand, Paul Henri Vieuxtemps is a Thai-French freestyle skier who made history by won bronze at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in slopestyle. This was the first ever medal for Thailand in the Asian Winter Games, and Milano-Cortina will be his first Olympics.
9. Joey Lam
Short Track Speed Skating (Hong Kong)
Lam has been making history as one of Hong Kong’s first Winter Olympians in short track speed skating. At just 20 years old, he trained on artificial ice rinks and through overseas programs to climb the ranks of his discipline. While he’s not a favourite for the podium, he’s certainly one to watch.
10. Faiz Basha
Alpine Skiing (Singapore)
Basha has already made his mark as Singapore’s first Olympic alpine skier, competing in slalom and giant slalom. Growing up in a country with no natural snow, Basha enters the Games as an underdog, and though he’s not a medal hopeful, he’s one of several competitors representing and inspiring a new generation of Southeast Asian winter athletes.
The Milano-Cortina Olympics runs from the 6th to the 22nd of Feburary.